Brisbane Warehouse Sale Alert! April 2012

Just wanted to let my fellow Brisbane readers know about the outlet sale over at the RNA Showgrounds happening over the next week. (So don't fret if it's too wet to go outside today, it's on until next Saturday!)
Here are the details that count:

Who?
Gap and Guess are the headline brands, covering their entire ranges (mens womens, footwear etc) the sale also features Aldo shoes, United Colours of Beneton accessories, Tumi luggage, Carlton luggage, Sisley leathergoods,  Travelite luggage and well as other leathergoods and items.

When?
Opening this Saturday the 28th of April and Closing Next Saturday the 5th of May. Opening hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day except Thursday where it will stay open for an extra hour in the evening.

Where?
RNA Showgrounds, The John Reid Pavillion, Bowen Hills Brisbane (Note there is a lot of construction happening there at the moment, so be warned, if you walk, the entrance you know may not be open to public and you may have quite the hike ahead of you.)

Bonus! They are accepting cash, EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard as payment.

Let me know what you buy if you go!

Birdette's dictionary: Ponte

Have you also seen this word cropping up everywhere in fashion stores lately? Ponte is a double knit fabric, meaning it stretches like your favourite t-shirt. What makes it so special though is the lovely thickness and ability to flatter because of it's ability to pull you in. It's sturdy, and will hold it's shape better then flimsier knits. A perfect use for this fabric are leggings! But that gorgeous mint shift dress I bought a while ago is also made from this fabric.
Try it out in this cute as Dotti dress, completely on trend and snug for Autumn and Winter. Now also on sale!

Twiggy Time Ponte Dress in Chilli Pepper <3 available at Dotti.

Source: Dotti

Link Love: April 10 2012

12 ways to style your scarf - Because we don't like style ruts! Some ideas for your winter scarves.

How to be a Redhead - Totally cute website with an emphasis on working with glorious red hair.

Chalk it up - Lauren Conrad's coloured hair-tips for the commitment shy.

Mid Season Sales!

Well after this morning's erroneous mistake of walking to the shops only to discover the entire damn complex is closed, (Yeah, that's my daft nature for you.) I guess what I'll be doing tomorrow instead will be checking out some of the many mid season sales that are about. stacks of shops are doing them, and with more then 30% off the stock that you want for winter it's worth going and seeing what's out there.

Alannah Hill: Has an extra 20% off sale stock until Monday the 9th.

Myer: I much prefer the bricks and mortar store to the online one. Always a goodie to check out, I never go in with a real objective because you won't often find whatever is in your head, but you will find something!

Portmans: Huge amount of stock marked down, plus $50 off all coats, Excellent Brit girl inspired styles in store now.

Sportgirl: Heaps of winter stock on sale, and receive a $25 voucher for every purchase over $100.

Dotti: Lots of cute 60's style gear on sale, and their awesomely priced outlet shop now online.

Mimco: Only gets more and more appealing as the prices drop, good chance to either earn or use up loyalty vouchers!

Review: Up to 50% off, with 20% off new styles.

Typo: 30% off storewide, in store only until the 9th of April,  much prefer this store in the flesh then online too.

So ... what are you doing tomorrow??

Source: Alannah Hill

Etsy Wednesdays: BZRshop

I love tights, not quite as much as some of my friends do, but they're still an essential fashion item in Queensland where it hardly ever gets truly cold enough to wear pants. (In fact I have a local friend who never actually wears trousers at all!)
Tights can make an outfit, they can take a dress that is on the verge of being too short to be reasonable into wearable territory and can make your legs go for miles. So I guess this post is for my fellow tights appreciators, check these out!

Dip dyed Ombre tights! Tiffany Ju hand-makes these to order through her Etsy Shop, Check out her range at BZRshop. 

Link Love: April 3 2012

Sometimes you just have to share the love.

How to deflate puffy eyes - Has anyone else been having these issues lately? I get seasonal allergies every Autumn, which is a pain because it's my favourite season. (Who doesn't like the colour of the leaves and the extra excuse to buy warm and new clothes?) Katrina Lawrence of Primped shows you how to fix them up.

Mad Men Makeover: You work hard for the wolf whistles - Journalist Marion Power tries out dressing up like they did back in the day to see what it's like how how the public react. It's not as easy as it looks!

Ten uses for Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is becoming a buzzword in the beauty and food industries, here Siobhan O'Connor talks you through ten uses she's found and whether she rates them or not.

Galactic Manicure - Love this look, and it's super easy too! Check out how Adiel does it.

Bought! Dotti Dress and Shirt

My birthday present to myself, on a bit of a budget unfortunately, but I still took myself out for a day of shopping, can't stop me from enjoying myself on that day of the year!
So I went for the cute mod dress in black and white, it also came in yellow but I'm not terribly fond of mustard as it doesn't work well with my skin tone. Great shape, and awesomely in right now. I plan on wearing it with pop bright tights and sweet flat shoes, and with a cute print cardi when the weather cools down for winter.

Madeline Peter Pan Dress by Dotti

I also felt the need to buy myself some burgundy for my wardrobe, for winter it is starting to run the risk of being the shade of the season, but the shape is a great staple that I know I'll have in my wardrobe for many years to come. It has a lovely sheen to the fabric as well, without being see through. I'm very over so many blouses being see through lately. I don't wear them outside of work, and I'm not comfortable wearing them to my office. I love sleeves I can roll up too, much more flattering them full sleeves. It looks great half tucked into jeans!

Chelsea Shirt by Dotti

Source: Dotti

Would you wear it? The novelty trend

Here we go kids, the trend of the season that makes me shake my head in wonder at how on earth do they expect the everyday girl to translate this into everyday wearable style? Novelty.
Firstly, what is novelty? Apparently it's what you get when you put Tavi Gevinson in charge of designing a collection, (or so I read) and it somehow trickles down into mass market. We're expected to start sporting sunglasses shaped like ice-cream cones with purses shaped like fruit ... No... really? No.
I remember baulking a few seasons ago at Prada's banana print shirts and skirts and hoping like hell it wouldn't take off, it didn't work. It's times like these I wonder if the fashion industry is having a giggle somewhere at the lengths we'll go to to be in fashion.
There are some cuter elements to it though, I have recently snapped up a sweater printed with little fox heads from Jay Jays, but don't really plan on wearing it about town too much, it's too cosy as a lounge about the house item. Possibly some kitschy earrings would go down well too? But I draw the line at all the smilie faces and neon colours. No one looks good in neon. No one looks good in something printed with fruits either.
So, from me that's a yes to Fox print sweaters:

And a rather loud and resounding NO to fruit anything.

(Lol, Watermelon skirt)

So what do you think of this trend? Do you think you could pull it off? What have you bought?

Sources: Jay Jays  & ASOS

NYFW

One thing I love about being on the south side of the equator is that technically we can wear trend in the right season MONTHS before those up in the northern hemisphere can. It's very easy if you know what you're doing.
Because events such as NYFW occur a good six months before the season they are actually show for, Designers of more frequent collections in Australia (say bardot, Sportsgirl, Dotti, Lorna Jane, Portmans etc etc) can wrap their heads around a trend in much less time then the year long design-to-store cycle that the big labels have. Thus resulting in that must have new trend on the catwalks yesterday -personally, I am awkwardly giggling at the cute owl hats on the runway at Anna Sui, while secretly loving them- being in stores and available within a few months, and just in time for our Autumn! (I don't think I'll find owl hats though, sadface.)
This also works amazingly to increase the longevity of items in your wardrobe. If you get an idea of what they're wearing next season, months in advance, you'll find that fashions tend to peak about a year after they creep in. First year around, things like high waists, bold shoulders and even the recent peter pan collars were on the back burner while people looked at them and thought "Oh my god, really??" While somewhere between six months to a year later, they're back with a vengeance as people come around to the idea. The more you see models and advertisements with something, the more you'll find you want it as it tricks you into thinking everyone is wearing it. In reality, it's only the few who are ahead of the ball that are.
Just for shits and giggles, owl hat!

Source: Style.com

Sportsgirl introduce 'window shopping'

How's this for something new and nifty? Sportsgirl have come up with an innovative and new way to shop their collections by just looking at a window (well almost).
Using QR codes, you simply scan the code correlating to the item you want with your smartphone, it then whips you to a site where you can add to bag and purchase. Too easy!
While it's only available at the rather trendy store in Chapel Street Melbourne for now, there are plans to set it up at random spots throughout the country, with the idea that this will make the flagship store range available to a wider audience.
Also yay, I hear that there's a special gift with each mobile order!

Has anyone given this a go? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Incoming: Ladylike Glam Pieces

This is one of those trends that hides in the background for a few seasons before coming back with a bang. Prada did some beautiful frocks a few years ago that evoked a very classy fifties feeling, and the accessories -particularly handbags- have been slowly taking on the look.

Must have piece one: The structured handbag.
I did post about this a little while ago, anyone remember this bag I stalked for weeks? To help bring this look to life, a structured handbag is going to be the quickest and most worthy investment, look for details like a top handle, a twist or kiss lock of some description and a solid shape.
If you want to go completely on trend with the new season, I love this bag by Mimco. The texture and colour-blocking are brilliant.

After something more cheap chic? Dotti has this cute little magenta number, while Ooh la la from Myer has some gorgeous styles.

Click through for piece two!

Grammy fashion WTF: The gun arm accessory?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and possibly be one of the only people in the world who utterly loves the cyborg armour that Russian singer Sasha Gravida wore to the Grammys. How insane!
I get that people are just going to sit there and caw about how she's just trying to grab attention and Gaga has been doing it for years and blah blah blah. Personally I think this works for me because I've always had an interest in anime and video-games. I would've styled it with a much tougher outfit, the pink froth is a little too much of a juxtaposition for me.
A few years ago there was a fashion trend toward armour but it never really went anywhere, I recall jeans with shiny, armoured plates on this shins, they weren't very washer friendly. Perhaps this is a revival? Wearing a single glove was ridiculed when Michael Jackson did it but it is an iconic moment in fashion.

Loving this week: Finishing touches

I'm going gaga over all the new styles coming out, February and August are two of my favourites months of the year as the new seasons come into store with full force after the sales. Epic.
One of the things I am loving is all the opulent fur details. Even better, they are so easy to add to clothes you already have for a cheap and chic update to last years numbers.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with neutral and natural colours and prints, think fawns, camels, browns, they will last you years longer in the style stakes then a some of the neons out there. Check out this gorgeous set from ASOS at under $10AU each! (One pair of cuffs or the collar).

If you're looking a little more local, you can also pick up some cut as fur collars from Sportsgirl at the moment, The jewel tones are incredibly glamorous and will work quite well with heaps of different hues for colour blocking. You can pull the look together with one of the matching felt fedoras to instantly finish an outfit and keep warm.

Sportsgirl Panamas and Fur stoles

Recap: January 2012

Wear it first:

Twin bag Trend

Wish granted: 

De-Slick in a Tube

Cheeks to die for: 

Benefit Hervana

Make it flattering: 

Quick fix a bad neckline

What stories did you enjoy this month?

The new Block Colour trend: Mod

Translating last seasons clothes into this season can be tricky but always fun, when the new seasons looks start to trickle out it can pay to keep an eye out for what looks similar to what you're wearing! I'm glad to say that last seasons bright colours trend has a friend in the new Mod stylings coming out now.
So let's have a look at what we can do.
The shift dress is often the first thing anyone thinks of when they think of Mod, and for good reason. It was a style staple to have your hems tiny and dress like a baby-doll. There are some incredibly cute variations that actually will suit a stack of shapes an sizes. To really amp up it up, buy some bright tights in a coordinating colour to really oomph it up, Something I'm loving at the moment is mustard gold and deep burgundy. Of course if you're not quite feeling it, a pair of black opaques will go with almost anything, and black shoes with black tights will make your legs look longer.

Otherwise a tunic and skinny jeans is a modern take on this trend. Sportsgirl have taken this trend and run with it, with cute collars, boxy tops and the perfect pants to wear with them, their Stevie style is ideal.

If you already have some cute high necked tops and want to add something to them, a lot of collars are in the shops waiting to be added. I bought one a while ago too.

Loving Sportsgirl's range out this month, all the items in this post can be found instore now.

Ra Ra Superstar Garage Sale Brisbane

Right about now I'm regretting my decision to budget budget budget and try and pay off my credit card, but that doesn't mean you can't go to this!
Over in Paddington there is an epic vintage store by the name of Ra Ra Superstar and today they're holding their Laneway sale. (yes, I should've told you early, bad blogger! Bad!) You can pick up dresses from as low as $15! and Accessories from as low as $5.
So the Details Birdette? Don't hold out on me!:
Where: Ra Ra Superstar store 284 Given Terrace, Paddington (Brisbane).
When: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Today! (21 of January 2012)

I hope you enjoy it and please show me anything you pick up!

Jersey Pencil Tube Skirts

My new summer saviour. Pencil skirts are coming back into fashion with the trend turning back the clocks to a time where dressing like a lady was at its peak. How glam!
Pencil skirts have always been an office staple and I love them for it, but recently I've gone toward jersey tube styles. I never used to wear them out of the fear they would show every flaw and bump but I've been pleasantly surprised at how flattering they are, in a medium weight fabric and dark colour they are pure bliss!
If you're still wary, try and look for details like ruching to flatter and show off the good while hiding the bad, this skirt by ASOS is a perfect example.

You can also tie them in nicely with the panelling trend, check out this gorgeous skirt by Malene Birger, the dark side panels will slim down your figure brilliantly, optical illusions are epic.

Bought! ASOS haul

It's not so often that I spend a few hundred bucks on an online order and find every item I've bought to be amazing and perfect, but this was one of those times. I took some risks on what I was buying, a shift dress, on this frame, (size 12-14 with boobs, butt and a tiny waist)? I'm so so so chuffed with how amazing it looks!
I think the trick to finding a shift that will suit a curvier and bigger shape is to find one with appropriate darts. If you pick up a dress and the only darts it features are the onse on the sides of the bust, put it back, you need something that has darts that travel up the front of the garment somehow too. it is also imperative that you choose the size of your largest er, asset. For me, my bust is 12, and my hip is 14. BUY THE 14!

I also picked up a jewellery box that I've mentioned in a previous gift guide I posted last year, had to get one for myself. perfect for brooches and rings.

Oof, this next item is heeeeeavy! I didn't realize it had quite so much beaded fringing to it, so I'll have to take extra special care of it, it moves beautifully. A nice moody piece that'll take out at night.

All items featured available from ASOS.com

What bargains have you guys found in the sales? Tell me about them in the comments!

Boxing day 2011 sales wrap up

So I shopped, and shopped, and shopped some more, what else would you expect of me really? Here's what I thought, there will be posts later of what I bought, but I'm pleased with my bargains. I didn't post yesterday purely out of exhaustion. I shopped, til I dropped.
One of the things every one who worships at the alter of the credit card needs to experience in their lives is to be in the crunch of people waiting to get into Myer or David Jones on boxing day. Hilariously the news-people filmed the outside entrance where no one really lined up, while people were milling around the indoors entrance to Myer for a good hour before it opened. I know, because I bypassed the crowd and went to find other shops that were open instead! Kind of disappointed they weren't open before 9, but I found early bird bargains elsewhere too.

In the city and Carindale I went to the following:

Dotti: Picked up some cute gear from their gift table, but other then that they have some good mark downs on clothing, good to refresh your wardrobe for summer.
Lorna Jane: Finally! I stalk Lorna Jane for cheap clothes because I can never quite justify the full price. Not as large a markdown as I like but still a lot more affordable with tights and older collections getting a good price chop. Full piece Malia Swimsuit for half price? Yup, nice one.
Forever New: Also good for having a pick over their gift table, I wanted one of the gorgeous bird print suitcases but they hadn't been marked down *sadface* my god wouldn't that have been fun to lug around during sale time!
Myer: The big one, it's certainly best to go to the first day of sales for Myer because they have all kinds of extra one day only sales on top of the rest of their specials. Gift packs were awesome, but in my opinion the clothing sale will only get better so I'll come back with fresh eyes after new years.
Sportsgirl: I didn't actually think they were going to improve on their pre-Christmas sale but I was wrong, They had all sale items marked down an extra 30%, and added all their gift-ware too, very nice. Though my experience was sullied by the occurrence I have noted in the last paragraph ...
Diva: Disappointment of the day, but I suppose I'm so used to the epic boxing day sales they normally have that this seemed really sub-par. I think barely a fifth of their stock was marked down, and none of it was the decent stuff, just what was marked down a few months back (I lie, they did add their Christmas gift stock). I seems that all they really did was stick up sale signs. No purchase.
Lovisa: Have marked down more of their stuff, there's some good stuff if you have a trawl, different stuff has been marked down compared to the recent sale so it's worth a look.
Alannah Hill: No real difference to pre-Christmas, but there's still lots of stock available. I think they'll have to mark down further if they want to move it by February.
David Jones: Impressive, lots of good solid mark downs, but lots of stuff that gets wheeled out for every sale too. If you keep to the shelves there's some good bargains. I noted that in among the Mimco handbags they had marked down bags that weren't on sale in the Mimco shops.
Mimco: Not a big improvement on prior to Christmas at all really, they say they've added more stock to the sale but I couldn't tell.
Peter Alexander: The one store I took a look at, look at the throng of people shopping and went 'F this!' and fled. Must've been good! Lol. I think I'll be shopping that sale from the safety of my armchair. Looking online it is good, Peter are known for having sales rarely, but when they do, they're epic.
Target: Faithful, well stocked Target. Good savings across the store, I had a good look at homewares, clothes and leftover Christmas decorations, alas, no fairy lights still available @_@. I recommend having a look at kitchen drapery, and classic clothing items,

One last point for anyone, for the love of god, leave your kids at home! (supervised of course, what are grandparents for?) I spotted one little girl in absolute tears because her mother had ditched her out the front of Sportsgirl because the girl had reached the end of her patience for following mum around all day. And FFS(!) it's fun enough trying to haul your shopping around without having to dodge people with strollers who think they have right of way!

Loving this week: The Iconic

I have a site for you all to check out! The Iconic. A fashion shop with a focus on Australian labels for men and women that we all know and love. With free shipping and a 30 day no questions asked returns? Yes please!

The Iconic is pretty new out there, only starting a few months ago but is quickly building into the place to go for Australian labels online.

Wanna peek at the wares?

I'm a fan of anything quirky, I may even have too many hero pieces in my wardrobe for my own good but I love the individual detailing of this sleeveless trench, perfect for layering in our fickle weather!

Billie Trench by Minty Meets Munt (psst! it's on sale!)

This Suboo cape is a great addition to your wardrobe, I love the print, and 100% silk means it will cover you up but still keep you cool in summer. 

Suboo Agua Dreaming Cape

Sheer pieces can be tricky to style but so long as you always remember to balance them with modesty you'll be sweet. The asymmetric detail keeps it current and the panels are cut just right to show off your figure but skim any problems. This is going on the wish list.

White Suede Sheer Angled Top

Also if you sign up to their newsletter, you get a $10 to spend in the store, also good to be ahead of the pack for their sales and news. Check it out here.